This collection brings together works by senior and emerging artists, reflecting the intergenerational sharing of knowledge across NPY communities from kami (grandmothers), ngunytju (mothers), untal(pa) (daughters), kangkuru (sisters) and kuntili (aunties).

For NPY women, weaving is deeply connected to time spent together out bush - collecting tjanpi (native desert grasses), hunting, visiting Country and sharing stories and skills. These works celebrate not only individual expression, but the strength of working together, learning from one another, and keeping connections strong.

About the artist:

Samantha is a Ngaanyatjarra woman, born in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and raised in Kaltukatjara (Docker River) in the Northern Territory. She now lives in Mantamaru (Jameson), Western Australia, where she moved after marrying and starting her family.

Her weaving practice has grown through close family connections - learning by watching her aunty, Thelma McLean, and her cousin, Tjanpi artist and arts worker Cynthia Burke. Samantha has a natural affinity for sculptural work, with a particular love for creating animals, especially papa (dogs). She enjoys experimenting with different techniques, from stitching and shaping to exploring colour and materials, bringing a sense of curiosity and playfulness to her practice.

Tjanpi Desert Weavers (Tjanpi meaning ‘wild grass’) is an award-winning, Indigenous governed and directed social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council (NPYWC). Tjanpi empowers over 400 women across a 350 000 square km area of the tri-state region of NT, SA and WA to earn an income and remain in their communities on Country.